Conegliano
Italy’s vice champions Prosecco Doc–Imoco CONEGLIANO will make their debut in the competition as they host Turkey’s Galatasaray Daikin ISTANBUL. On Sunday the team started their campaign in the national league with a 3:1 away victory over FROSINONE with Emiliya Nikolova and Valentina Fiorin top scoring with 17 and 16 points respectively. US American setter Carli Lloyd was voted MVP of the game.
“We are a rookie in this competition and we were drawn in a very tough group that includes Azeryol BAKU, Galatasaray Daikin ISTANBUL and Unendo Yamamay BUSTO ARSIZIO, all teams that have already competed at the highest level in Europe” says head coach Marco Gaspari. “We are a young team, including myself; maybe this can be our extra weapon as we embark on this adventure and try to upset a real Volleyball heavyweight like Galatasaray.”
“Last year as I came here and started playing for CONEGLIANO my dream was to qualify for the European Cups. We eventually made it and even though we know we are an underdog in this group, we also know that we can perform well” added team captain Raffaella Calloni.
“We are very proud for we got the right to play in this competition and to promote our city as well as its wine across Europe. We will do our best to leave a good mark in and off the court” concluded club President Piero Garbellotto.
To read more about this competition check out our CEV Champions League 2013/2014 coverage page.
